Thailand, Vietnam get bird flu praiseThe UN's top bird flu expert has told the BBC he is encouraged by successful efforts in Thailand and Vietnam to reduce the threat posed by the disease (Source: BBC Online).

China sacks officials for ignoring bird flu reportsA local government in southwestern China's Sichuan province has sacked five officials for ignoring reports of suspected bird flu outbreaks and then dealing with the crisis incompetently (Source: Reuters).

Bird flu strikes in DjiboutiTests have confirmed bird flu in poultry and a 2-year-old girl in Dijbouti; three of the girl's siblings are also being tested (Source: WHO).

Multiple pandemic outbreaks 'a real possibility'Bird flu researchers write in Science to reiterate their concern that an initial outbreak of a pandemic flu strain could be followed shortly by additional outbreaks — with implications for efforts to prepare for a pandemic and prevent it spreading (Source: ).

Study suggests older drugs could help fight H5N1An analysis of more than 600 H5N1 viruses collected from several Asian countries suggests that two older antiviral drugs could be more useful in fighting a flu pandemic triggered by H5N1 than previously thought (Source: CIDRAP).

Skin patch could strengthen flu vaccineA skin patch designed to boost the immune response could help stretch out scarce supplies of influenza vaccine at the start of a pandemic, say researchers (Source: Reuters).

H5N1 in blood could open way for new testThe discovery that the H5N1 virus can be detected in blood could lead to a safer way of diagnosing the disease, which at present requires collection of respiratory secretions and can lead to further infections (Source: Reuters).

Caribbean bird flu centre plannedPlans for a regional facility to diagnose the H5N1 virus are being discussed among the Pan American Health Organisation, the Caribbean Epidemiology Department, the University of the West Indies and Trinidad's Ministry of Health (Source: Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation).